Although all building occupants could be at risk, this is especially true for anyone with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

There are few words as disturbing to a property owner as hearing that they have sewage contamination in their home or business. Unfortunately, there are a number of common scenarios that can result in sewage contamination indoors. These include a backed up or broken sewer line, malfunctioning septic system or as a result of a flooding event that brings sewage from the outdoors into the indoor environment.

Sewage in a home or building can cause devastating damage to the property, destroying building materials, furnishings and belongings. Some nonporous materials can potentially be cleaned and disinfected, but most porous materials will need to be discarded.

Its presence can also create serious exposure concerns for anyone who lives or works in the building. Sewage contamination can expose people to a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and parasites. Standing water and wet materials will allow many of these organisms to multiply and the introduced moisture can result in the rapid growth of mold on many materials throughout the property. In some circumstances, there could even be potentially hazardous chemicals mixed in.

“Anyone residing or working in a building that has suffered sewage contamination could come in contact with any of these contaminants or pathogens from direct contact, ingestion or inhalation,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Although all building occupants could be at risk, this is especially true for anyone with a weakened or suppressed immune system. Because of the serious health concerns and complications associated with properly assessing and remediating sewage contamination, most property owners in Puerto Rico faced with this scenario should consider expert advice and help. The professionals at Zimmetry Environmental can test and assess the damage to ensure the exposure risks are identified and documented for an insurance claim and to provide the necessary information for remediation activities to keep building occupants and workers safe from these threats.”

Zimmetry also recently sponsored a video about sewage contamination, property damage and exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/XBRUJEwnVMo

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.